Amirudin tells Umno to ‘look in the mirror’ over sincerity in election seat talks

On August 29, PKR election director Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari confronted Umno's demand for sincerity in future election negotiations, urging Barisan Nasional (BN) to first evaluate its own methods following Pakatan Harapan (PH)'s previous seat concessions. Utusan Malaysia reported Amirudin stating that negotiations would become challenging if one side laid conditions before discussions commenced.

He emphasized PH's demonstrated willingness to compromise during prior state elections, including allowing BN to contest constituencies in Selangor that PKR had won. Amirudin reminded the audience that during state elections in Johor and Selangor, the PH had earnestly ceded seats that they had already secured. He implored both parties to scrutinize themselves for sincerity instead of imposing conditions before discussions had even begun.

Amirudin told Utusan Malaysia after officiating the Madani Kita programme with the Ampang Jaya community that while PH is open to negotiating seat allocations, including beyond the 21 seats identified by Umno and BN, they await the commencement of discussions. He expressed willingness to consider additional seats but cautioned against presuming outcomes.

Amirudin also mentioned ongoing contact with Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh, who required several policy decisions at the Umno and BN central levels before formal negotiations could begin. When asked about continued collaboration with BN despite its portrayal as "sakau," Amirudin clarified that the criticism targeted individuals instead of the entire party, and PH remains open to working with various entities.